Method and apparatus for producing multiple and varied image effects



v L. F. DOUGLASS.. METHOD AND-APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MULTIPLE AND vgmsolMAGE EFFECTS m PHOTOGRAPHY.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULY7,1922.

Patented Dec.12-,1922.

2 SH'EET S4SHEET 1.

L. F. DOUGLASS. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MUL TIPLE AND VARIEDIMAGE EFFECTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7.1922.

Patented Dec. 12,1922

2 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

L MM 2 flttozuup Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEON I. DOUGLASS, OF MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MULTIPLE AND VARIED IMAGE EFFECTS INPHOTOGRAPHY. 4

Original application filed January 3, 1922, SerialNo. 526,587. Dividedand this application filed July 7,

1922. Serial No. 573,295.

To alt whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON F DoUoLAss, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Menlo Park, California, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Producing Multiple andVaried Image Effects,

in Photography, which invention is fully set forth in the followingspecification.

This invention relates to amethod and apparatus whereby "at willone ormore images of separate objects or scenes may be simultaneously producedon a single sensitized film orplate.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel method and improvedapparatus whereby one or a plurality of laterally displaced images maybe produced upon a single photographic vfilm or plate.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the typejust characterized which may be readily applied to an ordinary camerawithout change in its mechanism or construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method andimproved apparatus whereby novel effects may be 'se-. cured upon asingle film or plate by manip ulating. by means of an adjustingmechanism. either one or more light-reflecting elements to reflectimages of separate and distinct objects through a lens onto a sensitizedfilm or plate, or allow an image of another separate and distinct objectto pass uninterrupted and directly through said lens and onto said filmor plate or to pro-' duce various combinations of these effects.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method andimproved apparatus whereby novel effects may be secured upon a singlefilm by manipulating,

- by means of adjusting mechanisms, either one or more light-directingelements in such a manner that the image ofone. object or scene is madeto gradually dissolve into and take the place of an image of a separateobject or scene.

provide apparatus of the type just charimage effects,

Another object of this invention is to acterized with means for variablymanipulating either one or more light-reflecting elements.

ject to proceed directly and without inter-..

ruption through said lens onto said film.

Generally stated, I so position one or two light-reflecting prisms ormirrors with reference to a lens, which may be the lens of an ordinarycamera, that each is in the path of the light rays from separate anddistinct objects to be photographed. Each light-re flecting'element ispositioned at an angle of approximately forty-five (45) reference to theaxis of the lens and the particular object it reflects, and thelightreflecting elements may be so positioned that light rays from athird object are permitted to pass between them through said lens, andonto said film. By a single exposure, novel and. multiple image effectsof three or a less number of separate and distinct objects may beproduced simultaneously upon a single sensitized film or plate. By themanipulation of the light-reflecting prisms or mirrors, an image of anyone, or images of any two or of all of-the separate objects, may beproduced by single exposure on the film or plate, as is desired. Thenumber of images formed will vary manipulation or positioning of saidmirrors or prisms in reference to the object immediately in front of thecamera lens.

So that the number of images produced may be varied, and in. order tosecure novel I associate with each of the light-directing members, arack and plnion, either or both of which may be manipulated so astocause the light rays coming from degrees with according to the number ofmirrors or two of the objects to be photographed to be reflected throughthe lens onto the film, or to cause the light rays from but one of theobjects to be photographed to be re flected through the lens onto thefilm, or to cause the light rays from an object not in position to bereflected by either of the two light-reflecting elements to proceeddirectly and without interruption through the lens onto the film. Thenumber of images produced, and their positions upon the film or plate,will therefore vary in accordance with the manipulation of the racks andpinions associated with the mirrors or prisms.

The invention is capable of being carried out in a variety of ways, andof receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, a few of which areillustrated on the accompanying drawings, but it is -to be understoodthat the drawings are for purposes of illustration only, and are not tobe construed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had.to the appended claims for that purpose.

In said drawings, in which, for the sake of clearness, the images on thefilm are shown larger than the objects photographed Fig. 1 is adiagrammatic view illustrating the relative arrangement of, the objectsto .be photographed, the light-reflecting elements, the lens and thephotographic film;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic fragment of a photographic film produced whenthe mirrors are in the positions shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative arrangement ofthe various objects and the positions of the mirrors when one particularobject is to be photographed;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic fragment of a photographic film produced whenthe mirrors are in the positions shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative arrangement ofthe various objects and the positions of the mirrors when anotherparticular object is to be photographed;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic fragment of a photographic film produced whenthe mirrors are in the positions shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative arrangement ofthe various ob jects and the positions of the mirrors when twoparticular objects are to be photographed;

Fig-8 is a. diagrammatic fragment of a photographic film produced whenthe mirrors are in the positions shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative arrangement ofthe various objects and the positions of the mirrors when two othertographed;

Fig. 10. is a diagrammatic fragment of a particular objects are to bephophotographic film producedwhen the mirrors arein the positions shownin Fig. 9; and i Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. l, toillustrate the use of prisms in place of mirrors.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, object 1 is positioned at anangle approximately 90 degrees with reference to the axis of the lens Landis on the left side of the camera; object 2 is positioned directly infront of the camera and lens L; and object 3 is positioned on the rightside of the camera and at an angle approximately 90 degrees withreference to the axis of lens L. Lens L may be the lens of any ordinarycamera, no unusual kind or shape being necessary for the carrying. outof this invention.

Interposed in the path of the light rays emanating from object 1, is alight-reflecting mirror 6, so positioned that it will reflect the lightrays through the lens L and onto a sensitized film or plate F. On theopposite side of the camera and separated from mirror 6 by a suitableintervening space and interposed in the path of the light rays emanatingfrom object 3 is a light-reflecting mirror 5, so positioned that it willreflect the rays therefrom through the lens L and onto the sensitizedfilm F. Directly in front of the camera lens L is another object 2, thelight rays from which proceed directly between mirrors 6 and 5, throughsaid lens L and onto said film F. I

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, mirrors (5 and 5 have attached to themby any suitable means, such as screws or rivets, racks 7 which engagewith pinions 8. By manipulating and turning pinions 8, the racks 7,together with their respective mirrors are moved in a plane that is atapproximately 90 degrees with reference to the axis of the lens L, inand out, as is desired. Thus, for instance, if it is desired to producean image of object 3 only, upon film F, the pinion 8 associated withmirror 5 is turned in'the proper direction until the mirrors 6 and 5 arein the positions illustrated. In this instance the light rays proceedingfrom object 2 do not pass through lens L because of the fact that theystrike the back part of mirror 5 and are not permitted to proceedfarther. Neither do the light rays proceeding from object 1 pass throughlens L, for the reason that mirror 6 is not in a position to reflect thelight rays from object 1 through lens L.

Consequently the only rays passing through lens L are those proceedingfrom object 3. which said rays produce upon the film F the image 3, asshown in Figs. 3 and 4.

If it is desired to produce on film Fan image of object 1 only, thepinions 8 are turned until the mirrors6 and 5 are'in the positionsillustrated in Fig. 5. The light rays proceeding from object 1 strikemirror 6 and are reflected through lens L onto film 'F, where image 1 isproduced. The light rays proceeding from the other two objects 2 and 3do not pass'through lens L, for the reason heretofore explained.

If it is desired to produce on film F images from the objects 2 and 3only, the pinion 8 associated with mirror 6 is turned until said mirrorno longer reflects an image from object 1 through lens L. Fig. 7 showsthe relative positions of the mirrors when ob-' ject 1 is not to bephotographed. In this instance the rays of light from object 2 proceeddirectly through lens L onto film F, while the rays of light from object3 are reflected by mirror 5 through said lens onto said film, whereimages 2 and 3' of objects 2 and 3'respectively are produced.

If it is desired to produce images from objects 1 and 3 on film F, thepinions 8 associated with mirrors 5 and 6 are turned until said mirrorsare in the positions illustrated in Fig. 9. In this instance the rays oflight from object. 2 are blockedvofi' by the back parts of said mirrors,and are not permitted to pass through lens L, while the light rays fromobjects 1 and 3 are reflected, by mirrors 6 and 5 respectively, throughsaid lens onto said film, where images 1 and 3' are 'pro-, duced. I

By means of the apparatus herein shown the light rays from any one ofthe objects,-

the manipulation of the pinions associated with their respectivemirrors, may be gradually dissolved or faded out, so that the imageseither gradually disappear from the film, or gradually disappear as animage from one of the other objects appears and gradually ferringparticularly to Fig. 1, if it is desired togradually dissolve the images2' and 3' of objects 2 and 3 respectively, from film F, and to have animage of object 1 take their places thereon, the pinion 8 associatedwith mlrror 6 is slowlyturned toward the right. As mirror 6 moves alongthe plane indicated by the arrow, the image 2' of object 2 graduallydissolves as image 1 of object 1 takes its placegand' as the pinion 8 isturned still farther toward the right, mirror 6 comes in contact'withmirror 5, moves it along in the same direction until the image 1 ofobject 1 entirely takes the place of images 2 and 3' of objects 2 and 3upon the film. Similarly images of objects 2 and 1 may be made to animage of object 3 be made to take their places thereon. the manipulationof the pinions associated with the two mirrors, the image of object 2may be made to,,dissolve from the film as ima es 0%. Therefore it isclearly perceived that the'imagesof the various objects may be made todissolve from the film as images of takes its place upon the film. Re-.

use of any particular dissolve from the film and In a like manner, andby from objects 1 and 3 take its place therethe other ob ects graduallytake their places thereon. F

It can be readily perceived that have provided a method andapparatus'whereby novel and multiple image effects, of distinct andseparate objects may be produced upon' a single photographic film by asingle expo sure, and although I have illustrated and explained but afew of the novel effects which may be produced, it can be readily seenthat there are many other novel effects well as mirrors or othersuitable light-direcb ing elements.

Although I have illustrated and described this invention as referringto. the photograph-ing of objects, it is to be expressly understood thatthe term object, is to be construed as referring to one object, a groupof objects or a scene from which a pencil of light is to be directedonto a sensitive film, or its equivalent, separately and independentlyof the directioning of the pencil of light from another so-called objeccomposed of one or more elements. Thus, each of the light-directingelements directs the image of an object different from'that reflected bythe other.

While the embodiments of the invention illustrated on the drawings havebeen described with particularity, it is to be' expressly understoodthat I am not limited to any particular detail of construction, as

changes may be'made in the means for manipulating the. light-reflectingelement or elements, withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention.Nor am I limited to any particular kind or form of photography orcinematography.- Nor am I limited tothe character of sensitized elementfrom. which the negative isrto be formed,'and the term-film as employedin the claims is to be construed as generic to palates or other suitablesensitized elements.

eference is therefore to be had to the claims hereto appended for adefinition of the limits of the invention.

This application isa division .of my application Serlal No. 526,587,filed Jan. 3, 1922,

entitled Method and apparatus for producing multiple and varied imageeffects in photography, wherein is claimed broadly the hereinbeforedescribed method for s multaneously producing on a photographic film theimages of two or more-ob ects and the hereinbefore described arrangementof parts including a plurality of light-directing or light-reflectingelements for directing the image or images of one or more objects onto aphotographic film; this application being directed to the method andcombination of parts whereby the image or images may be dissolved orvaried in number or position by movement or adjustment of one or more ofsaid light-directing or light-reflecting elements.

What is claimed is l. The method of selectively producing on asensitized film an image of one of three objects which consists in sopositioning two light-reflecting elements adapted to reflect images oftwo of said objects on said film as to exclude the images of two of saidobjects and permit the light rays from the selected object to passthrough a lens onto said film.

2. The method of producing variable image efl'ects of a plurality ofobjects on a sensitized film which consists in reflecting images of twoof said objects through a lens onto said film by interposing alight-reflecting member in. the path of light rays from one of saidobjects, interposing a second light-reflecting member in the path oflight rays from another of said objects, allowing the light rays from athird object to proceed directly through said lens onto said film,bodily moving said light-reflecting members to different positions, andmaking successive exposures.

3. The IIIBtllOCli of producing variable image effects on a singlephotographic film which consists in reflecting one or both of the imagesof two objects through a lens onto said film by adj ustably positioninga lineallymovable light-reflecting element in each of the paths of lightrays from said objects.

4. Means for producing a plurality of laterally displaced images of aplurality of objects upon a sensitized film comprising. in combinationwith a "lens, a light-reflecting element positioned to reflect the imageof one object through said lens onto said film, a secondlight-reflecting element positioned to reflect the image of a secondobject through said lens onto said film, and means for bodily moving oneor both of said light-reflecting elements.

5. Means for producing. a plurality of laterally displaced images ofthree objects upon a sensitized film, comprising,'in combination with alens, a light-reflecting element positioned to reflect the image of oneof said objects through said lens onto said film, a secondlight-reflecting element positioned to reflect the image of another ofsaid objects through said lens onto said film, and means for moving saidelements lineally to vary the numberof images passing through said lensonto said film.

. from a plurality of a 6. Means for producing a plurality of laterallydisplaced images of a plurality of objects upon a sensitized film,comprising a lens, a light-reflecting element positioned to reflect theimage of one of said objects through said lens onto said film, a secondlight-reflecting element positioned to reflect the image of another ofsaid objects through said lens onto said film, and a control for each ofsaid light-reflecting elements.

7. Incombination with a lens, a plurality of light-directing elementsadapted to direct images from a plurality of objects through said lensonto a film, and means for moving said elements lineally whereby thenumber of said images may be varied.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a lens, aplurality of lightdirecting elements adapted to direct images objectsthrough said lens onto a film, and means for bodily moving any one ofsaid elements into and out of operative relation with said lens.

9. The method of producing, on a single, sensitized film, variable imageeffects, which consists in dissolving one or more images from a.plurality of images on said film as an image of another object takes theplace thereof.

10. The method of producing, on a single, sensitized film, variableimage effects, which consists in dissolving an image from said film asimages of a plurality of objects take its place thereon.'

11. In combination with a lens, a plu- 100 rality of light-directingelements adapted to direct images from a plurality of objects throughsaid lens onto a film, and means for moving any one of saidlight-directing elements. to dissolve one or more images from 1 saidfilm.

12. In combination with a lens, a plurality of light-directing elementsadapted to reflect images from a plurality of objects through said lensonto a sensitized film, and 110 means for moving said elementstransversely of the axis of said lens.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a lens, alight-directing element positioned adjacent said lens and at 1 apredetermined oblique angle to the axis thereof, and means for movingsaid element transversely of said axis whereby said element may bepositioned to direct the image of an object through said lens onto asensi- 120 tized film.

14. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a lens, a plurality of lightsensitized film. 1 3 0 15. Incombination with a lens, a pair of light-directing elements, and meansmountmg said elements whereby either, neither or both may be adjusted todirect light rays 'from a plurality of objects through saidferentpositions to direct light rays from a plurality of objects throughsaidlens.

17. The method of producing on a single sensitized film variable imageefiects which consists in lineally moving a light-directing 1 element todirect an image of an object onto object from said film.

said film and dissolving an image of another 18. The method ofselectively producing on a sensitized film the images of two objectswhich consists in lineally adjusting a light-reflecting element toreflect an image of one of said objects through a lens onto said filmand exclude the image of theother of said objects from said film or topermit the light rays from the otherv of said objects to proceeddirectly through said lens onto said film.

19. The method of producing variable image effects of a plurality ofobjects on a sensitized film whichcon sists in reflecting an image ofoneof saidobjects through a lens onto said film by interposing alight-reflecting member in the path of light rays from one of saidobjects, allowing the light rays from another of said objects to proceeddirectly through said lens onto said film, lineally moving said membertodifierent'positions, and making successive -exposures.-

20; Means for producing a plurality of images of a plurality of objectson a sensitized film comprising, in combination with a lens, alight-reflecting element adapted to reflect the image of one of saidobjects through said lens onto said film or to'permit the image ofanother of said objects to proceed directly through said lens onto saidfilm, and means for lineally moving said element to dissolve one imageinto the/other.

21. Ina device of the class described, the combination of a lens, alight-reflecting element adapted to direct an image of an object 7through said lens onto a film, and means for lineally moving saidelement into and out of operative relation with said lens.

22. Means for producing a plurality of laterally-displaced images of aplurality 05 objects on a sensitized film comprising, in combinationwith a lens, a' light-reflecting element positioned to reflect the imageof one of said objects through said lens onto said film and ,to permitthe image of another of said objects-to proceed directly through saidlens onto said film, and means for lineally moving said element to varysaid im ages. In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

' LEON, F. nouemrss.

